Background: Hepatitis C virus infection is associated with hepatic free radical formation and enhanced lipid peroxidation and an individual's antioxidant status may play an important role. Paraoxonase-1 is an esterase that degrades oxidised lipids. In the present study, we investigated the genetic association of the most important paraoxonase-1 gene polymorphisms and the susceptibility to HCV-related chronic hepatitis.
Methods: Paraoxonase-1 polymorphisms at positions -107, 55 and 192 were analysed from the genomic DNA of 186 patients and 386 healthy volunteers, as well as the serum concentration of total peroxides and standard biochemical tests.
Results: Patients with chronic hepatitis had a higher frequency of the RR isoform of the 192 polymorphism than healthy subjects (13% vs. 7%, P<0.05). There were no significant differences with respect to the -107 and 55 polymorphisms. The plasma concentration of peroxides was higher in patients with chronic hepatitis [349.5 (246.2-479.8) vs. 115.4 (95.7-172.3) mumol/L; P<0.001].
Conclusions: The present study suggests that the paraoxonase-1 192 polymorphism contributes, together with other polymorphisms, to the variations in the host response to HCV infection.